second thoughts 
on a winter
afternoon 

come to meet you
through every window
in search of the least abandoned 
constellation 

like purple clouds 
on the horizon 

pounding 
at tempered glass
begging to know
asking, 

what do you want 
to be 
when you grow up?

when we sleep, 
where do we 
go?

should you die tomorrow, 
what will you 
miss 
the most?

and i answer, 

when i grow up,
i want to be 
a list 
of endless possibilities 

when we sleep,
do not disturb
maybe we will wake up 
singing 

if i should die tomorrow,
i will miss 
the particular and ordinary

and before the songs
of night 
come to visit

the purple haze
disappearing 
behind the frames 
of darkness 

second thoughts
of a winter’s afternoon 
remind me
that 

even here,
the magic of this life
shimmers 

with lustful wonder
curious 
and
penetrating 

the magic within
you
shimmers sometimes,
too. 

lh
nov 2021